Online sales of the iPhone 5S have kicked off in several different countries and a number of iPhone 5S models, the gold in particular seem to be short in supply all around the world. As the Apple Stores in the UK, France and Germany come back online, itís clear that the shortages extend to European customers as well. Immediately after coming back up, the UK Apple Store displayed shipping times of 7-10 days for all colors and capacities, as did both of the online stores for France and Germany.

In Australia and China, online Apple Store shipping times for the iPhone 5S rapidly slipped to 7-10 days for all colors and capacities, with immediate unavailability of the 64 GB gold version. Appleís Hong Kong and Singapore online stores have even longer wait times, displaying an October shipping estimate for all iPhone 5S models.

Even in the United States and Canada all models are said to now be shipping in October which means the previous analyst predictions of an iPhone 5S supply constraint all turned out to be true. Based on the extended shipping times seen around the world, itís likely that the demand will be far greater than the supply for quite some time.

Were you able to get an iPhone 5S online or do you plan on going to a retail store to get one? If so, share your experience below!

Order was completed at 2:19 am CDT for a "Space Gray" 64 GB. At the time, the 16 and 32 GB versions already had longer shipping times.

Oh, shipping time was 5-7 days for the Space Gray 64gb when I did my order. After I finished, AT&T's website crashed, then came up a minute or two later. Shipping times changed to 7-10 days. All other models were around 10-14 days.

Didn't have an in-store pickup option when ordering. So, it was either order and wait a little bit, or wait until who knows when because I have to work today. So going in-store was not an option.

I had the same question, I spoke with an Apple Rep through online chat, and he told me the T-Mobile version is the unlocked version. He said I would be able to take it to AT&T or T-Mobile. I didn't really ask him about CDMA networks (Verizon & Sprint), so if you were looking to take the unlocked phone to a CDMA network, you may have to open up a chat with them yourself.

Just been waiting in line for 3 hours at the London, Regent Street Store and they sold out of 5S's by 09:30, unfortunately I wasn't one of the lucky few to receive one! is it worth going tomorrow or is that it for the time being?

I had the same question, I spoke with an Apple Rep through online chat, and he told me the T-Mobile version is the unlocked version. He said I would be able to take it to AT&T or T-Mobile. I didn't really ask him about CDMA networks (Verizon & Sprint), so if you were looking to take the unlocked phone to a CDMA network, you may have to open up a chat with them yourself.

I just chat with apple store and they told me for the unlocked t mobile version to use it with att I have to call t mobile. No sense for me if it's already unlocked. I can't put my nano att card to work instantly ?

Started hitting refresh at 3am ET and the order page came up at about 3:01. Quickly ordered a 32GB “space gray” Verizon model and a black case. When I was done the confirmation said 1-3 business days! 

Though I will remain skeptical until it ships as I know Apple has adjusted ship times in the past, and this time around seems more likely than ever.

With so much supply constraint I am considering selling online for a tidy profit and just get one later. Maybe demand will be so high that I’ll make enough to buy a new one for me and my wife. (She already has the 5)